Meet Karen Clarke, partner in our Personal Injury Team.

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Karen Clarke, partner in our Personal Injury Team based in Telford.

With nearly 30 years’ experience in personal injury law, Karen specialises in complex claims, including brain injuries, serious orthopaedic injuries and fatal claims. Known for her compassion, client-focused approach, she’s dedicated to helping people navigate some of the life’s most challenging moments while achieving the best possible outcomes.

Karen started working for Lanyon Bowdler in 1996 as a second secretary for Neil Lorimer. Yes, in those day the partners had two secretaries!  Karen was already studying CILEX when she joined the firm and in May 1997, she became a supporting assistant to Bill Bainbridge who was one of the other partners in the Personal Injury Department at that time. Karen worked alongside Bill for a number of years before then becoming a lawyer in her own right in 2001. Karen took a break from her studies in 1999 whilst she had her children Jack and Jessica. Unfortunately, Jack had some medical issues and subsequently had to have brain surgery for a brain tumour in 2007 so Karen was not able to return to her studies and finalise her qualification until 2021. Karen finally sat her last exam and was then made an associate. In 2024 Karen became a partner.

Having built an impressive career at Lanyon Bowdler, we thought it was the perfect time to get to know Karen a little better…

What’s the best thing about your role?

Helping put a client’s life back on track after an accident and getting the right amount of compensation for them. We cannot undo a traumatic event, but we can help a person move forwards. Every day is different because every case is different and every client’s experience is unique. We have to gather the evidence to substantiate liability against the defendant and then we have to gather medical evidence to prove the injury. Once that evidence is available it is our job to negotiate the very best possible financial compensation for our clients. There is no better feeling than achieving a higher settlement than your client wanted.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?  

I acted for a claimant who had been involved in a road traffic accident whilst riding his motorbike. As a result of the accident, he sustained a brain injury and needed care and assistance with all aspects of daily living. He kept a motorbike in his garage for a number of years, as he liked to start it up to hear the rev of the engine. He desperately wanted to be able to ride a bike again as he “just wanted to be able to feel the wind in his hair”. With the assistance of King’s Counsel, we were able to negotiate a very good settlement for him, which included ensuring his care and case management needs were covered for the remainder of his life, with the use of a Periodical Payments Order (PPO). I had the opportunity to attend the High Court in Birmingham where his settlement was approved. Approval was required as he lacked capacity, and the settlement amounted to a £3.1m lump sum and PPOs for care and case management for life. Whilst this was a highlight on its own as it ensured he can have the best life possible for the remainder of his years, the most special moment was when we were able to source a motorbike which would allow him to ride again. Due to his injuries, he was unable to ride alone but he was/and is able to ride with his carer and feel the wind in his hair again.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what do you think you’d be doing? 

Sitting on a beach with a cocktail! Law is something that I have always been interested in and was always a goal. I had thought about becoming a police officer but at the time that I was leaving college the police force had a height policy and I was too short! I did think about becoming a doula to support mums-to-be in pregnancy, birth and early weeks post delivery but decided that law would be my first choice.

Outside of work, Karen enjoys going for meals with friends and keeping fit. Karen walks the Wrekin twice per week and attends the gym three times per week whilst running two to three times per week. She has recently become a nanny for the first time and is enjoying spending time with her grandson.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Karen a little better and learning more about the people behind Lanyon Bowdler.